Healing in Highlands: Debris removal
The county has collected almost 800,000 cubic yards of debris.
The county has collected almost 800,000 cubic yards of debris.
Healing in Highlands: Citrus Crop Damage
Highlands County about 12 to 13 percent is covered in citrus trees, over 8 million orange trees. A lot of the county?s people are employed either directly or indirectly in the industry so it?s very important industry here.
Highlands County about 12 to 13 percent is covered in citrus trees, over 8 million orange trees. A lot of the county?s people are employed either directly or indirectly in the industry so it?s very important industry here.
Healing in Highlands: Habitat for Humanity
Over 13,000 homes effected throughout Highlands County and Habitat for Humanity is taking the lead in the recovery process.
Over 13,000 homes effected throughout Highlands County and Habitat for Humanity is taking the lead in the recovery process.
Healing in Highlands: Sheriff Paul Blackman
Those empty shelves became a common sight in the week leading up to Hurricane Irma. There was a lot of preparation prior to the storm -- with last year's Hurricane Matthew providing a test run -- which benefited since Irma changed her path hours before midnight on September 10.
Those empty shelves became a common sight in the week leading up to Hurricane Irma. There was a lot of preparation prior to the storm -- with last year's Hurricane Matthew providing a test run -- which benefited since Irma changed her path hours before midnight on September 10.
Healing in Highlands: Communication is Key
Without power, other tolls of communication became essential. Many believed Don Elwell, Highlands County Commission Chairman was pivotal during and after the storm.
Without power, other tolls of communication became essential. Many believed Don Elwell, Highlands County Commission Chairman was pivotal during and after the storm.
Collection of fine scale models assembled in Tampa Bay
It’s a small, small world.
It’s a small, small world.
Enter the small world of fine scale modeling
The Suncoast Center for Fine Scale Modeling is only open to the public once a month. The craftsmen here have assembled one of the most amazing collections of fine-scale models you will see anywhere ? and it?s right in Odessa.
The Suncoast Center for Fine Scale Modeling is only open to the public once a month. The craftsmen here have assembled one of the most amazing collections of fine-scale models you will see anywhere ? and it?s right in Odessa.
MOSI to reopen after three-month renovation
MOSI is back.
MOSI is back.
MOSI reopens after three-month renovation
The Museum of Science and Industry temporarily closed its doors for three months in order to downsize -- from 300,000 to 40,000 square feet -- and become more financially stable.?The public can return starting on Saturday, November 18.
The Museum of Science and Industry temporarily closed its doors for three months in order to downsize -- from 300,000 to 40,000 square feet -- and become more financially stable.?The public can return starting on Saturday, November 18.
Public can meet alpacas at Dade City farm
There is an alpaca farm in Tampa Bay.
There is an alpaca farm in Tampa Bay.
Meet an alpaca at Sweet Blossom's open house
There is an alpaca farm in Tampa Bay. Sweet Blossom Alpaca Farm, located in Dade City, is 15 acres of land where alpacas roam. Visitors can meet the alpacas, learn about them, and pet them. There are also alpaca products for sale which make for a unique gift, such as hats, socks, rugs and scarves.
There is an alpaca farm in Tampa Bay. Sweet Blossom Alpaca Farm, located in Dade City, is 15 acres of land where alpacas roam. Visitors can meet the alpacas, learn about them, and pet them. There are also alpaca products for sale which make for a unique gift, such as hats, socks, rugs and scarves.
City of Safety Harbor turns 100 years old
Safety Harbor turns 100 years old this week.
Safety Harbor turns 100 years old this week.
City of Safety Harbor turns 100 years old
Safety Harbor turns 100 years old this week. To celebrate, the city will hold a ?Folk ?n Fruit Fest? on Saturday. There will be music, food, craft beer and games, offering up a little something for the whole family.
Safety Harbor turns 100 years old this week. To celebrate, the city will hold a ?Folk ?n Fruit Fest? on Saturday. There will be music, food, craft beer and games, offering up a little something for the whole family.
Crisis Center is a lifeline for struggling veterans
When the phone rings at the Crisis Center in Tampa, and there is a veteran on the line, Jamie McPherson is there to help.
When the phone rings at the Crisis Center in Tampa, and there is a veteran on the line, Jamie McPherson is there to help.
Two months later, Irma's impacts linger in Polk County
Irma is a name most Floridians won't soon forget.
Irma is a name most Floridians won't soon forget.
Checking in with the Stuart family after Irma
The Stuart family is not totally comfortable yet, but they have a lot to be grateful for. A 9-year-old nephew went to sleep the night of Hurricane Irma, and an oak tree crashed through the roof and landing inches away from him. They have been living with relatives just down the street ever since.
The Stuart family is not totally comfortable yet, but they have a lot to be grateful for. A 9-year-old nephew went to sleep the night of Hurricane Irma, and an oak tree crashed through the roof and landing inches away from him. They have been living with relatives just down the street ever since.
Revisiting the family that kayaked across a flooded yard
It’s been an adventure, said the Hogg family. A multi-generation family were trapped on the second floor of a Lakeland home when water rose up to 20 inches. With the help of neighbors, eight people, including a one-week-old boy at the time, and eight animals kayaked across their flooded yard to drier land. Now, they are all living together in Ansley Morris’ home, while her parents wait on the necessary repairs.
It’s been an adventure, said the Hogg family. A multi-generation family were trapped on the second floor of a Lakeland home when water rose up to 20 inches. With the help of neighbors, eight people, including a one-week-old boy at the time, and eight animals kayaked across their flooded yard to drier land. Now, they are all living together in Ansley Morris’ home, while her parents wait on the necessary repairs.
Lake Wales Little League still needs donations post-Irma
Lake Wales Little League?s facility was significantly damaged: dugouts loss shingles, building with severe water damage, and the youth equipment were a total loss.
Lake Wales Little League?s facility was significantly damaged: dugouts loss shingles, building with severe water damage, and the youth equipment were a total loss.
Sheriff Grady Judd: We answered emergencies through Irma.
Throughout the entire hurricane event in September and through Irma's dangerous winds, Sheriff Grady Judd said deputies and paramedics still responded to emergencies. " There were people who had severe medical emergencies. They needed help. They can always depend on us. We're going. Some agencies didn't. We did," he said.
Throughout the entire hurricane event in September and through Irma's dangerous winds, Sheriff Grady Judd said deputies and paramedics still responded to emergencies. " There were people who had severe medical emergencies. They needed help. They can always depend on us. We're going. Some agencies didn't. We did," he said.
Bartow business opened two days before Irma
The Bartow Mercantile, an antique store, opened two days before Hurricane Irma. At the time, the projected path was further west. The owner, Becky, and her 97-year-old Lake Wales mother rode out the storm.
The Bartow Mercantile, an antique store, opened two days before Hurricane Irma. At the time, the projected path was further west. The owner, Becky, and her 97-year-old Lake Wales mother rode out the storm.